CShoreArtwork: Trempealeau Connections by CShoreArtwork at Elmaro June 2022

The shows over for June, but you can still contact me at cshoreartwork@gmail.com for purchases. Thanks to those that had a chance to stop by. I'm pleased to announce I've been invited to show again next June so see you with some new paintings in 2023. Thanks to the wonderful people at Elmaro.

"Trempealeau Connections"- a collection of area oil paintings by Colleen Shore. On display for the month of June 2022 in the crush pad at Elmaro Winery and Vineyard

Artist Comment-I create my art inspired by my surroundings to connect and move others to embrace the extraordinary.

Come and experience the wonders of the Trempealeau area through my oil paintings. From the peaks and plants of Perrot, to the Refuge views and prairie remnants. I've also included gathering places from the communities of the Village all the way to Galesville and of course Elmaro Winery and Vineyard. Love to hear about your favorite places. Join me while I paint onsite, Friday June 3 from 3-6 and Sunday, June 12 from 1-4.

Start Here,hope you enjoy my comments about the paintings on display. They are in clockwise order on the crush pad with the exception of the 5x7 's on the counter display. Be sure to sign my guest book I would love to hear your comments.

Framed oil paintings in Trempealeau Connections

Elmaro Vineyard and Winery a nice respite from camping, a side trip when traveling the Great River Road or gathering with friends. After scheduling this show it made sense to feature the areas in Trempealeau I've grown to love and visit. Thanks again to Elmaro for supporting the arts.

Soaking it Up at Elmaro 8x10 oil

Sunny days on the patio soaking up the ambience and glow of the red umbrellas. Always enjoy this setting. Hope to do some onsite painting during June and I'm sure the umbrellas will attract my attention. From image taken summer of 2021 our first days out and about during covid.


Golden Moments at Elmaro 8x10 oil

The Hibiscus plants patiently wait for winter to end and return to their place on the patio at Elmaro. Plants on the patio join patrons for soaking in the summer sun.

Winter on the Vine at Elmaro 8x10 oil

Winter interest waiting to provide the next bounty at Elmaro. The vines and shadows contrast so well against the whites and blues of winter snow. This painting gave me a chance to be a little more abstract in my approach but you can still connect to the bluffs in the background.

Chilling at Elmaro 8x10 oil

The fun doesn't stop for hardy souls as fire pits draw in the devotees to savor the moment in any season at Elmaro. We cherished a bottle ourselves while taking photos in April 2022. Elmaro makes sure the fires keep burning for guests. I'm attracted to painting people just doing what they do. No posing for this artist.

On the Counter a few small framed works of Elmaro

Breaking Bud at Elmaro 5x7 oil

Grape vines unfurl as the warmer weather brings guests to the vineyard. While checking on some potential views for painting onsite, I was excited to witness the breaking of buds on the grape vines. I especially like the parallel lines of the wires and vines.

Barrel of Fun at Elmaro 5x7 oil

Containers remind us of the process and patience of the winemaker. Reusing casks brings the experience full circle. The hot sun reflecting off the back wall and pots as a contrast to the grays caught my eye.

Elmaro Tribute 5x7 oil

Elmaro's logo inspiration, the big pine, just behind the winery standing proud. A majestic silhouette against the landscape.

More gathering places, nearby the village of Galesville and 7 Bridges Mc Gilvray Trail

On the Square Galesville 11x14 oil

Drawn Together, a drawing group of artists I belong to, chose to gather in Galesville around the 100 year old Downtown Square Bandstand. Loved the pops of red. Also have an unframed painting of the gazebo on Lake Marinuka.

Mc Gilvray Welcome 8x10 oil

A historical trail in the Van Loon Wildlife Area. One of the first bridges during a winter walk. Fun to do the grasses poking out of the snow. Makes for an unusual architectural interest. Also have an unframed painting of some fisherman on a bridge.

Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, a must do every time I pass through just to see who else is in the area. Seen owls, eagles, lost of birds and always birders.

Trempealeau Refuge Trail 11x14 oil

From the Marshland entrance to the refuge, there's lots to explore. When the water levels are too high for the main entrance this is a great option.

Butterfly Refuge 8x10 oil

Butterfly Weed borders Kieps Dike Trail with a wonderful view of Trempealeau Mountain in the distance. From the refuge to Perrot an important Trempealeau connection.

Trempealeau Mountains 8x10 oil

Bird watchers paradise along the Pine Creek Dike Trail at the Refuge. Every season is beautiful. Especially love the winter and fall.

Refuge Tree 8x10 oil

Old oaks along the refuge road, a nice drive in the winter. The oaks hold onto their leaves for the winter giving them lots of textural interest.

Refuge Prairie 8x10 oil

Refuge road prairie views, I can almost see the Bison. There's always more color to the winter landscape than one would think.

Added June 8-these two paintings were inspired after attending a presentation by Elliot Funmaker of the Ho-Chunk Nation. He did a blessing of the drum and his grandaughter demonstrated a fancy dance. I tried to capture the rhythmic movements.

Fancy Dance 1 Ho-Chunk Regalia 11x14 oil

Fancy Dance 2 Ho-Chunk Regalia 11x14 oil

Cat Tails Return for Spring 8x10 oil

Keips landing, a launch for canoes and kayaks and secret Black Birds hiding spot. It's hard to focus on just one cat tails. They seem endless and like one solid mass. Here I started incorporating some silver paint.

The Colors of Spring 8x10 oil

The overlook at the refuge changes in every season. Here the grasses are still golden soon to be green again. I enjoy doing a limited palette every now and then, it's very soothing to look at.

Trempealeau Tree 8x10 oil

Trees and their twisted ways always make for interesting subject matter. A walk in the fall along Pine Creek Dike is an inspiration. The colors are so varied.

Perrot State Park I spent many memorable years working out at Perrot State Park. I love the area and continue to be amazed at how special of a place it is in Trempealeau. Also a wonderful learning experience about native plants and the areas history.

Spring Unfurls 8x10 oil

Some of my favorite spring ephemeral along Brady's West Trail in the park. Blood Root a welcome sign of spring and interesting foliage.

Pantaloons of Perrot 8x10 oil

Dutchmans Breeches, the wild cousins of the Bleeding Heart, hang lined up like pants airing out to dry. After friend John R. referred to them as Pantaloons I can't think of anything else to call them.

Stars of Spring 8x10 oil

The stunning return of Shooting Stars in May along west Brady's can only be a testament to the importance of prescribed burns to maintain the native flowers. There's a lot of detail in these precious little blooms. I went more expressionistic with the silver paint, just because of how they make me feel.

On the Verge of Spring 8x10 oil

The sunsets in spring over the Trempealeau Bay waters. A golden moment to use the metallic paint again, to help capture that shimmer and glow.

Bay Vista 8x10 oil

Trempeauleau Bay, a paradise for birds returning north and paddlers.As the waters recede the Voyageur Trail is revealed. You don't want to try a short cut on the path, it's like a maze out there. Tried once with Chris L.

Bay Refuge 8x10 oil

Just before Trempealeau Bay empties into the Mississippi under the railroad bridge, a nice gathering spot out of the way of traffic for Herons and Ducks.

Top of O'Brady's 8x10 oil

What's Sunday in Trempealeau with out brunch at Sullivan's and a walk up and over Brady's Bluff to top off the day.This iconic view in the fall in one of my favorite. Although I bet winter is stunning too.

Village of Trempealeau, it keeps getting better without getting too much bigger.

Brady's Bluff 8x10 oil

From the Minnesota side of the Mississippi, the line up of bluffs that over look Trempealeau are featured in these next four paintings. A beautiful morning in the spring to see the shapes of the outcroppings and goat prairies. Photos taken early spring from a wonderful gallery in Lamoille called Mississippi Mornings. A fun series that like to hang out together. To embellish these jewels along the ridge I tried some more gold and silver to the textures of trees.

Perrot Ridge Bluff oil

Bunnell's Bluff 8x10 oil

Second Peak Bluff 8x10 oil

Trempealeau Main Street 8x10 oil

Gotta get there early for the long rays of sunshine casting morning light on Main Street in the Village. The stillness in the morning of this sleepy village doesn't last long on a summer day. Soon bikes and visitors fill the streets.

Old Trempealeau 8x10 oil

A notable site along Sullivan Road, remnants of the old hotel and brewery captures the imagination. I think I like it in winter best since the surrounding foliage doesn't obscure the details.

Trempealeau Music Venue 8x10 oil

Gathering for music at the Trempealeau Hotel, a tradition to sit and savor the river and a great venue. The best view is on the porch in one of those Adirondack chairs and a beer by my side. Just a suggestion.

Trempealeau Passage 8x10 oil

A long walk for a long view of this narrow river section of the Mississippi that passes the village of Trempealeau. Captains of the boats claim this is one of the best views along the Mississippi River and the narrowest.

End Thanks for viewing my Artwork and stopping by Elmaro.

Other Stuff

Set of 6 Cards/Envelopes (pack of 3 ea. 2 designs) $10

A Short Biography

Colleen Shore grew up on the east side of Wisconsin and now resides in Onalaska. While attending UW-La Crosse for art she began to learn what makes the driftless area so special. From hiking up Bradys Bluff in 1974(without the wooden staircase) to contributing to a centennial coloring book for the Friends of Perrot in 2018, her connections run deep. Now in retirement she's dedicated to creating art inspired by her surroundings in order to connect and move others to embrace the extraordinary.

You can see more of her artwork from the past on this blog site, look for

Collection of Oil Paintings-Portraits of Pet,People and Animals by CShore June 2022

Collection of Oil Paintings-Nature and Landscape of Local, Regional and Beyond by CShore June 2022

follow my blog for the newest paintings and events.

Perrot State Park Centennial Coloring Books are available at Elmaro during my June showing. Proceeds from the sales go to the Friends of Perrot projects, Naturalist programs and more.

$4 each or 3 for $10

I was commissioned by the Friends to create these four pages.